http://2oldforthisspit.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] 2oldforthisspit.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] shatterverse2008-03-19 10:05 pm
Entry tags:

(no subject)

Nhim has been making her way south from Nebraska-she'd rather head north towards her preferred climate, truth be told...but she also knows that food is more likely to be plentiful-not to mention easier to catch-towards the south, and right now, her stomach is the most pressing matter on her mind. Of course, there's still matter of finding a cave or the like that she can't get stuck in to make into a lair, and then outfitting it with a new hoard. For now, though? It's all about food.

She peers down at the landscape, her ears pricking forward as she spots an group of cattle wandering along. The dragon goes into a dive and easily slams into one as the rest of the herd flees, then, after a moment of covering her kill with her wings and looking around-old habits die hard-begins to eat. Despite being a ravenous giant carnivore, she'd actually welcome company. She hasn't run into many things that talk thus far.

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
Oliver was taking a bit of a ride. He noticed the stray herd a few minutes ago, and was considering Calling them back to the Cooper farm. Surely someone can make use of some of them, and if nobody at the Coopers wants to house them, the farmers nearby might want them.

It turns out that this was not the world's best idea.

Oliver hates dragons. His ribs are still broken and his right hand still hurting because of them.

Beauregard hates dragons, too. This is why he's bolting fast as a bat out of hell in the opposite direction.

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
OH FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET ME LIVE--

-- that roar sounded suspiciously not like a roar of victory as the mighty beast pounces on its prey. In fact, that roar sounds like words.

It takes Oliver a moment, but he moves past the blinding fear and looks upward.

His "Yes?" is not half as loud as a shout made by a dragon's voice - possibly Nhim might not even hear.

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Well, she's not going to hear if she keeps getting closer!

Because Beauregard is saying oh hells no and veering away the instant she does that!

Oliver, meanwhile, is pulling back on the reins, throwing his body from side to side to give his pulling more weight. Beauregard utterly disregards him. Oliver reaches into Beau's mind and tries to Tell the horse to slow.

Beau's mind fights his master's at every turn. There are times when he slows to a canter and times when he speeds back up to a gallop.

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
Around a mile and some away, Oliver gets Beauregard settled down - horses aren't built to run forever.

Oliver dismounts and sees to Beau, determining that he'll neither overheat nor freeze. Oliver coos at him as he takes off his saddle and rubs him down with a cloth, running his hands over the beast's back and still-twitching flanks. Gradually, the horse calms. Oliver Tells him to go graze once he's placid, and this time the command is readily obeyed.

Then, Oliver makes his trek back.

Towards the dragon.

Sigh. The things you do when you try to be a good guy....

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
The gore dripping from her muzzle just adds to the reassurance. Oliver has his right hand held in front of him, palm up. Just in case.

"Hello?" he shouts - going no closer than he absolutely has to.

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
The words are so rational, so soothing - she speaks of magical horses, how interesting....

Oliver was beginning to drop it when she made her own gesture. He tenses up, his mind blaring threat! White light collects onto his palm, flaring into white fire the size of a man's head.

"I would advise against that," he tells her.

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
Of course - it makes total sense.

Oliver finds his face growing a little warm as he realizes his mistake. Hopefully the dragon doesn't know what a blush means.

He douses the flame and lowers his hand. "I-- I beg forgiveness. I had a nasty altercation with a dragon when I first arrived, which, unfairly, I cannot help but recall now. It has left me overly acute to the slightest offensive move. I apologize."

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
Oliver shakes his head. "This kind was clearly a beast - it spoke no tongue, and I could Control the younger one, somewhat. Given time I might have Controlled the adult, too."

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
"My supernatural gifts enable me to speak to, control, summon, and ride the senses of beasts. That I succeeded with the child told me that these dragons were animals."

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
Oliver's face twitches at the hated word.

"I am no wizard," he says with strange intensity.

He recalls that this is simply an innocent mistake a moment later, and adds in a more normal tone, "I am a Godsworn. I apologize for bearing you such ill news. This land is ever-surprising and ever-disturbing."

Oliver-speak for 'it's totally screwed, yo'.

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, perhaps?" There's never been a real need for the word 'paladin' in their society. "Our supernatural abilities come from the blessing of the Lord.

"Before we continue with this conversation - do you know of the Cooper residence?"

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
"We are in the midst of rebuilding civilization there," Oliver tells her. "It is being converted back to a farm so that we might grow our own food. Many people and beings from different world have taken up residence there.

"The owner herself, Lucy Cooper, is a woman that can become a dragon."

[identity profile] sworntoalostgod.livejournal.com 2008-03-20 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
Regarding shapeshifting magic users, watch Oliver valiantly not ask 'were they demons?'. It was a truly heroic effort that will sadly go unremarked.

"And I cannot say we have enough food for you if you stayed a permanent resident," Oliver adds. "What sort of territory do you prefer?"